Find out how to get connected to French electricity suppliers...

Electricity in France is generally provided byEDF (Electricité de France), which is state owned, although households are free to choose their own electricity supplier. Details on installing electricity or moving home relevant to residential customers (particuliers) and businesses (professionels) are available in French on the EDF website. ERDF handles the breakdown service (dépannage).

Visit the ERDF siteto find a local office or breakdown service number (in French)

EDF English-language Information: EDF also have an English-language customer service helpline for foreigners in France. The number is free when dialed from a French landline. Telephone: 09 69 36 63 83 (or +339 69 36 63 83 if dialing from abroad) Note: EDF are responsible for the supply of electricity, while ERDF is a subsidiary of EDF, responsible for the distribution.

Getting Connected

New tenants or property owners should contact EDF as early as possible to give the date for the move. On the first day in the new property, they should contact EDF again to make sure the meter reading is taken that day, to avoid the possibility of paying for the previous tenants electricity.

EDFhas more information in English on how to connect to an electricity supply

EDF service can be established or transferred by telephone. The customer must supply their full name, address and bank account details (even if they choose to pay future bills by cheque). A re-connection fee is only charged if the supply has been cut off; a bill for this is sent approximately two weeks later.

EDF Tel: 09 69 32 25 20 (French speaking) Tel: +33 (0)9 69 36 63 83 (English speaking) Note that there is an introductory message in French. If an English-speaking operator is not available the caller may receive a recorded message and then be disconnected. Several calls may be required before the caller is connected to an operator.

Customers can choose between a number of different proposed tariffs, which depend on their usage, number of people in the dwelling and type of heating. Electricity bills are sent every two months and are based on an estimation of usage. If paying by cheque or direct debit, the bill must be paid within 15 days. Customers may also choose to pay by direct debit on a monthly basis, over a period of ten or eleven months. At the end of this period, the customer either receives a bill for extra consumption or receives a credit on their EDF account. Meters are read every six months. To avoid estimated bills, clients may also chose the option Service Relevé Confiance, where customers read their meter and report the number on it four times per year.

To Disconnect

Before moving house, tenants or owners should contact EDF at least 48 hours before vacating the property. If moving to another home, contact EDF on the day of the move, providing them with a meter reading of the old and the new property to transfer the electricity contract.

Renewable Electricity

Over recent years a number of electricity companies using renewable energy have been set up in France. EDF has its own subsidiary company, called EDF Energies Nouvelles. Alternatively there are a number of other companies offering services:

Winter Fuel Payment for UK Citizens

UK citizens aged 60 years old and over are, under certain conditions, eligible for winter fuel payment when living in another EEA country. The UK Government has more information on winter fuel payment entitlements